(The Center Square) – In Pennsylvania, state officials, including the governor, much of his administration, and the legislature, receive automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments to their salaries.
This year, it will bump Gov. Josh Shapiro up to the highest-paid governor in the nation, overtaking New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The new salary increase of 3.3% comes in at $253,870 according to the state’s Office of the Budget. That 3.3% applies to leaders across state departments and boards like the Liquor Control Board and Public Utility Commission.
Members of the legislature saw their salaries rise to $113,000 for rank-and-file members. The median household income for their constituents is about $76,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The full-time legislature met less than 90 days this year, with the Senate clocking fewer sessions than the House. The state budget they oversee was 135 days late.
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Shapiro’s second-in-command, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, major agency leaders, and the state’s row officers, including Attorney General Dave Sunday, Treasurer Stacy Garrity, and Auditor General Tim DeFoor, will all be making more than $200,000 in 2026.
For perspective, the president of the United States earns $400,000 annually. The lowest-paid governor, according to Business Insider, is Maine’s Janet Mills, who earns $70,000.